“Keep Your Spirit Aligned”: A Case Study on Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Students Defining and Practicing Spirituality

Means, Darris R.; Collier, Joan; Bazemore-James, Cori M.; Williams, Brittany M.; Coleman, Raphael D.; Wadley, Brenda Anderson

doi:10.1353/csd.2018.0057

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Alternatively, a poststructural framing like queer theory (Butler, 1990) would posit gender as less of an identity and more a repeated sense of performatives one participates in given the gendered meaning society has assigned those behaviors. Authors’ use of quare theory (a Black queer framework that pushes against the Whiteness present in queer studies; Johnson, 2001), for instance, emphasized individuals’ agency and ability to resist marginalization in all aspects of their life, including their experiences with overlapping forms of oppression (Means, 2017; Means et al, 2018). Within these epistemological and theoretical traditions, scholars frame LGBTQ+ people in particular ways, whether explicitly stated or not.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The theoretical engagements of scholarship on LGBTQ+ people in higher education: A look at research published between 2009 and 2018.

Durán¹,

Jackson²,

Lange³

2022

Journal of Diversity in Higher Education

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Using a content analysis approach, this study examined how scholarship on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQϩ) people in higher education used theories to advance knowledge about these communities between 2009 and 2018. Guided by the concept of thinking with theory, the article explores the varying relationships that scholars developed between data and theoretical/ epistemological traditions. In particular, the research project had a specific focus on how scholars mobilized critical and poststructural frameworks to shape literature on LGBTQϩ people. Findings revealed several important trends. Namely, there was a significant omission and lack of naming of epistemological foundations in research on LGBTQϩ people. Additionally, studies employing critical and poststructural frameworks increased during this period of time. Although the epistemologies represented in scholarship grew, few articles explicitly mentioned how their chosen theories/ epistemologies informed every aspect of their study design. Implications for future research and practice are offered.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The theoretical engagements of scholarship on LGBTQ+ people in higher education: A look at research published between 2009 and 2018.

Durán¹,

Jackson²,

Lange³

2022

Journal of Diversity in Higher Education

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Third, they associated spirituality with organizational and non-organizational forms of religious behaviors and practices, such as attending worship services, praying, or helping others. Similarly, in a later study, Black LBGQ undergraduates defined spirituality as their relationship with a higher power, asserting that spirituality can be further understood as "internal congruence" and as reflected in their relationships with others (Means et al 2018). This shows that beliefs and concepts from religious frameworks can provide conduits for spirituality.…”

Section: Black Emerging Adults and Spiritualitymentioning

confidence: 91%

Correlates of Spirituality among African American and Black Caribbean Emerging Adults

Hope,

Nguyen,

Taylor

et al. 2024

Religions

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Spirituality is a significant cultural strength and resource for Black emerging adults. Numerous studies show that increasing numbers of emerging adults tend to identify themselves as being spiritual but not religious. However, no studies to date have identified the demographic correlates of spirituality for Black emerging adults from different ethnic groups (i.e., African American and Black Caribbean). Data from the National Survey of American Life were used to identify the demographic correlates of two indicators of spirituality (e.g., self-rated spirituality and subjective spirituality) among African American and Black Caribbean emerging adults using linear regression. For African Americans, being a woman predicted both greater self-rated spirituality and subjective spirituality. However, among Black Caribbeans, men rated spirituality higher in importance than women. African Americans who reported higher educational attainment tended to report higher levels of self-rated spirituality and subjective spirituality. Romantic status for Black Caribbeans, whether they had no romantic involvement or a current romantic partner, was associated with lower self-ratings of spirituality. Unmarried cohabitating individuals in both ethnic groups tended to report lower levels of self-related spirituality. Unemployment for Black Caribbeans was associated with lower subjective spirituality. Findings are of interest to those who serve and work with Black emerging adults.

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“…Despite a dearth of literature, the existing scholarship concerning Black students’ religious and spiritual identities has expanded our knowledge of the importance of religion and spirituality for Black college students (Paredes-Collins & Collins, 2011), including both its benefits (Constantine et al, 2006; Donahoo & Caffey, 2010; Strayhorn, 2011) and challenges (McGuire et al, 2017; Means et al, 2018). Existing scholarship has also enhanced our knowledge of the religious nones (McGuire, 2018), and helped us to understand the significance of on-campus spaces for Black students’ intersecting identities (Means & Jaeger, 2015).…”

Section: Objectives and Purposementioning

confidence: 99%

“I get to make my own decisions”: Understanding Black Christian students’ spiritual development journeys.

Hall

2024

Journal of Diversity in Higher Education

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While existing scholarship has illuminated benefits that individuals gain from their religious and spiritual engagement, how and to what degree individuals engage may vary. Although student development theory compels us to attend to students' salient identities (Jones & Abes, 2013), religion and spirituality remain underresearched in higher education (Chae et al., 2004;Donahoo & Caffey, 2010;Park, 2017). Despite the salience of religion and spirituality among many Black communities (Bacchus & Holley, 2004;McRae et al., 1999;Taylor & Chatters, 2010), and Christianity being the dominant religion for Black Americans (Diamant et al., 2022), scholarship that centers the intersections of race, religion, and spirituality remains limited. Thus, there are opportunities to understand Black Christian students' spiritual development journeys and what influences Black Christian college students' formation of religious and spiritual practices. Data for this inquiry is drawn from a larger critical constructivist narrative study where semistructured interviews and visual data with 13 Black and spiritual students provided insight into Black students' spiritual development journeys. Findings indicate three themes: Black Christian students' early religious socialization through family, church, and religious-affiliated K-12 schools; the presence of religious and spiritual practices prior to their college-going years; and the development of new religious and spiritual practices during their college-going years. Baxter Magolda's ( 2009) concept of meaning-making was utilized to understand Black Christian students' early reliance upon external formulas, crossroad moments, and ultimate journeys to self-authorship. Implications for research and practice are provided to institutions and institutional personnel who seek to holistically support Black Christian students.

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“Keep Your Spirit Aligned”: A Case Study on Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Students Defining and Practicing Spirituality

Cited by 10 publications

References 9 publications

The theoretical engagements of scholarship on LGBTQ+ people in higher education: A look at research published between 2009 and 2018.

The theoretical engagements of scholarship on LGBTQ+ people in higher education: A look at research published between 2009 and 2018.

Correlates of Spirituality among African American and Black Caribbean Emerging Adults

“I get to make my own decisions”: Understanding Black Christian students’ spiritual development journeys.

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